The Indianapolis journal., 1887-10-09

TEXAR'S REVENGE
BY JULES VERNE.
A Story Of the American Civil War.


Nothing of much importance. Unfortunate
", it seems as though the federals getting
the best Of it, and that the slave cause is done
for"
''Bahl" said Texar in a tone Of indifference.
"Wel, we are neither for South or North,
really, are we2"
mo. The only thing is, while they at
each Others throats to be always on the side
where most is to be gained"
In this remark Texar revealed his true char
acter. The two men fshed the troubled water
of civil war only for what they could catch.
'But," said Texas, "what has happened in
Florida during the past weekr
Nothing that you do not know. Stevens re-
mains master of the st. Johns up to Picolata."
'And be does not seem to care to come further
down7"
'.No the gunboats have not been sent to the
south of the county. And fancy the occupa-
tion of this river will soon end, and that the con-
federates will get back the command of the
whole stream"
Howl"
''There is a rumor that Dupont intends to
abandon Florida and leave three ships
to blockade the coast"
"Cau that be possbe2"
They are talking about it; and if so. St
Augustine will soon be evacuated"
''And Jacksonville!
Jacksonville, too"
Then / can go back, get the committee to-
gether again. and resume the place the federals
pushed me from! All my Northerners, if I
come back, you will see how will treat you!"
That is So"
'And if James Burbank and his people have
not cleared out of Candles Bay they will not
again escape me-"
That is right. All that you have suffered
from them have suffered with you. What you
WISH wish! what you hate, hate The two
of US are but one"
''Yes one.7 replied Texar.
The conversation stopped for an instant. The
click of the glasses told Zermah that the Span
lard and the other man were drinking together
Zermah was thunderstruck. To listen TO them,
1t seemed as though these two men had had an
equal hand in every crime committed during the
last few years in Florida. and more particularly
in those against the Burbank family. She
learnt much as she listened to them for another
half hour; and all the time the same voice gave
question and answer, AS il Texar were alone and
talking to himself. Here was mystery which
the half breed had the greatest interest in dis
covering. But If the villains knew that Zsrmah
had heard some of their secrets would they not
settle the danger by killing her! And what
would become Of the child when Zermah was
deadl
1t was about IL o'clock. The weather contin-
ued terrible; wind and rain blew and fell with
out ceasing. Assuredly Texar and his compap-
ion would not leave their shelter. They would
pass the night in the wigwam and do nothing
till the morning
And Zsrmah's doubts ended when Texar's ac-
complice-who ought to have been Texar him.
self-asked, -
"Well, what shall We do2"
This" said the Spaniard. Tomorrow
m orning will go with men and recon
noitre round the lake. We will explore the
cypress grove for three four miles, after
sending on in advance those who know it best.
particularly Squambo. If there signs of
the approach of the federal detachment, We will
return and wait till it is time to retreat. II
sans and my slaves. and I will take Zermah off
to the Bahama channel while you conc entrate
the militia in Lo Florida"
agreed" said the other; ''whils you recon-
noitre / will hide in the woods on the island. It
will not do for to be seen together"
"Nol certainly not!" said Texar. 1--WE must
keep from any mpruoence tnat wouId reveai
our secret. Do not come back here till to-mor-
night: and, if am obliged to go off during
the day, do not leave the island till have got
clear away. Meet me then at Cape Sable"
Zermah then saw that she could not be rescued
by the federals. If in the morning their ap
proach discovered the Spaniard would not
leave the island without her, She could only be
saved by her own efforts, great as was the dan
ger. Escape under such difficult circumstances
was almost Impossible.
But with what courage would she have at
tempted it had she known that James Burbank,
Gilbert Mars and his com panions at the planta
tion were on their way TO deliver her from Texar;
that her letter had told them where to look for
her. that already Mr.. Burbank was up the st.
Johns. beyond Lake Washington; that the
greater part OF the cyprus grove had been
crossed that the little band from Candies Bay
had been joined by the detachment under Cap
tain Howick; that il Texac whom they
looked upon the author of the ambuscade at
Kissmmee; that tho scoundrel was to be hunted
to death. and that he would be shot on the spot
il they could only get hold of him!
But Zermah knew nothing of this. She could
wait for help no longer. And she resolved to
risk everything to get away from Carneral
island
But she must wait for twenty-four hours
before she made her attempt, although the
night was very dark and favorable for her
chance of escape The men. who had not even
taken shelter under the trees were all round the
wigwam. She could hear them walking about
the bank, smoking and talking If her at
tempt failed. il her plan was discovered, she
would be off than she was, and Texar
would have excuse for his violence
Would the chance of escape be better to-mor
row! Had not the Spaniard said that his COM
panions. his slaves even the Indian. Squambo
would accompany him to reconnoitre the
federal advanced Would something come out
of this to increase her chance of getting away?
If she could get across the channel without
being seen, aud reach the forest, she did not
doubt that she would be safe. She could hide,
and need not again fall into Texar's hands. Cap
tain Howick could not be far off. If he ad-
vanciug towards Lake Okee-cho bee, was there
not a chance that she might meet with him9
Better therefore, wait for to morrowl But
hardly had she so decided. than something hap
pened, that at once swept away the scaffold
which her last hopes were built
There came knock at the wgwam door. 1t
was Souambo, who m ade himself known to his
master.
''Entar!" said the Spaniard.
Souambo came in.
''Have you any orders for the nightl" he
asked,
"Keep careful watch and let me know at the
least alarm"
~ will do So" said Squambo
Tomorrow morning will reconnoiter for
some miles in the forest"
1.-THE half breed and Dy2"
"Will be under guard as usual See that no
one disturbs here"
Right"
what are the men doine?"
walking about. None of them seem to care
to rest"
"See that none get far away"
"None shall 60"
what is the weather like!"
Not so bad as it was. The rain has stopped,
and the wind will soon drop"
Good"
Zermah had listened to all this. The con-
versaton evidently nearing its end, when
stified sign, sort of rattle, made itself